LHA 8 fabrication begins at HII

PASCAGOULA, Miss. - Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division officially started fabrication of the America-class amphibious assault ship Bougainville (LHA 8) on Oct. 15. The start of fabrication signifies the shipyard is ready for sustained production and ready to move forward with the construction of the ship. Bougainville will retain the aviation capability of the America-class design while adding the surface assault capability of a well deck. The well deck gives the Marines the ability to house and launch two landing craft air cushion (LCAC) hovercraft or one landing craft utility (LCU) as needed during maritime missions. Other additions will include a larger flight deck configured for an F-35B Marine Joint Strike Fighter and Osprey V-22, which can be used for surface and aviation assaults. (Source: HII 10/16/18)